If you experience back pain, check this place out...

I've been going to My Wellness Center in Gaithersburg since 2008 for lower back pain relief. The Ceragem automatic thermal massage bed has saved me a lot of time and money at physical therapy and orthopedic surgeons. The staff are great. The center has a variety of other health-related products and services.

Currently, there is a one-week free trial for new visitors. The membership prices are very reasonable.

How Many Paths Are There To God?

This being the 2011 Christmas season our pastors are preaching on Advent topics. On December 4^th, Rev. Ted Wright posed the question: “Is Jesus the Only Way to Heaven?”

The short answer is ‘Yes’, for Christians that is. If so, then why did Rev. Ted preach this sermon? Over the summer, our pastors asked us for sermon topics and this question was raised by several submitters because several parishioners feel there were other paths to Heaven. This idea of anything goes is reinforced by TV. I like the TV show Royal Pains especially the character Divya Katdare played by Reshma Shetty. When USA Network ran its “Characters Unite” commercials in December 2009, Reshma said among other things that she believes “in all paths to God.” As a Christian, I was not happy to hear this because I know there is only one path to God: Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ.

In America we have many freedoms and many religious beliefs. But, for some reason, in recent decades, the two are hitting heads. I respect Reshma’s right to say what she believes but I was concerned that less staunch Christians would take this as confirmation that the margin to enter Heaven is wider than they are taught. It is not. John 14:6 says it simply and clearly:

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me…” (NIV)

“Jesus is a present Saviour, and the way to Him is short; it is but a simple renunciation of our own merit, and a laying hold of Jesus, to be our all in all.” (CH Spurgeon, 2/4 PM).

In the current political climate, Christians are not supposed to speak up and out for and in defense of our beliefs. As an American, I have the same right to say there is God as those who say there isn’t one. So, why is my freedom of speech being curtailed?

In the current political and social climate, Christians have become lax in evangelism. To be clear, evangelism is not shoving our beliefs down someone else’s throat. We are to live out our beliefs by example and avail ourselves of opportunities to tell others how great Jesus has been to us.

Mohammad and Buddha never claimed to be God (Buddha didn’t even believe in God) and did not die for our sins. Hebrews 9:22 states “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” Mohammad and Buddha were not resurrected – be aware Jesus was seen by many people AFTER his death. “And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world.” (1 John 4:14, NRSV)     

In sum, the world’s religions do not worship the same God and all paths do not lead to Heaven, just the one.

Father, forgive those who do not understand. Amen

The Destructiveness of Gossip

Today’s morning Spurgeon devotional discusses Leviticus 19:16-17:

Leviticus 19:16-17 NIV

(16)  "'Do not go about spreading slander among your people. "'Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life. I am the LORD.

(17)  "'Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.

Spurgeon correctly notes that three are affected by gossip: the speaker, the listener, and the person being spoken about. I was reminded this past weekend that three is a sacred number in Christianity so his listed three persons had additional meaning for me.

It’s human to err and human to gossip but we don’t have to give into our baser nature. In my middle years I am more aware of my faults and put more effort into combatting them. As far as gossiping, yes, I made some big blunders in my youth. The one that changed my ways was when I was working in Chicago and a co-worker told me something crazy her husband said that she just couldn’t understand why he said that. She specifically asked me NOT to tell my husband.

I could not offer her an immediate explanation for her husband’s behavior so told her I’d think about it and get back to her. After a couple days, I still couldn’t figure out what his deal was and wondered if it was simply a “guy” thing. I then made a choice to break my promise and ask my husband what he thought foolishly assuming he would never meet either of them.

Well, as luck would have it, my boss threw a party at her home and guess what happened? Yep. Ron made a crack about the topic (to this day, I don’t remember exactly what the “it” was) and he gave his wife a look, she gave me a look, I gave Ron a look. She never spoke to me again. And, I deserved it.

So, I word of advice from someone who suffered from her own folly: keep promises and divulge nothing until death parts you from this earth.

Amen.

What is your Go To "cry" song?

Last night, Rob Carson from Mix 107.3 posed the question “what is your Go To cry song?”

I didn’t know all the songs the listeners mentioned but it did take me back to a time, as they say, long ago in a galaxy far, far away. It was the ‘70s (1970s for you youngens) and my fiancé’ dumped me. Rocker Meatloaf just released the hit “Two out of three ain’t bad” and it fit our situation to a tee. I cried for a week and lost six pounds. Until this day, whenever I hear that song on the oldie stations, a little tear appears.

What is your Go To “cry” song?

When friends "unfriend" you

I’ve been thinking a lot about power trips lately. Living in DC, it’s all about power. Perceived power, imagined power, and sometimes real power. This is the most difficult place I’ve lived. I can’t leave my house without running into someone who wants to “hump my leg” to use a politer euphemism. However, it’s one thing if it’s the obnoxious passengers on the public transit system and in the grocery store but it’s quite another if it’s a friend.

One of my friends misunderstood something I said last week, got herself really upset, and as of last night’s e-mail, I was booted to the curb as a friend.

What bothered me most isn’t that she didn’t give me a fair hearing. Nor was it that she didn’t even let me clear up the misunderstanding. All she wanted to do was to yell at me. Then she forbade me to mention her name in conversation with others.

Well, this is the United States and I was born here so am a citizen. As a woman, as a US citizen, as an American woman, forbidding me to speak her name is what really made me angry. Whether or not she likes it, I have a right to complain to my friends about her. My Italian family tried to shut me up. But I didn’t let them or even my husband succeed. So, my question to the audience, why should I let her?

Creationism and Evolution

Today was our first Fall 2011 Bible study class using the FaitherWeaver curriculum.  The plan is for both parents and children study the same topic so they can discuss it later at home. While I don’t have children, I am always interested in how to start small in spreading God’s word.

Our class started with Genesis and how to explain the difference between the Bible’s description of creation and the scientific theory of evolution espoused in all public schools. BTW-I am old enough to remember when God was not a forbidden public school subject and feel we declined as a nation when the Evil one got judges to say it’s not allowed any more.

Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church (GPC) is an amazing church. We have scientists and theologians and a wide diversity in members from Africa to Korea and in-between. So, we had a variety of views.

The overarching conclusion was that the two are not mutually exclusive. God is the who and science is the how. God created the world but we don’t yet know exactly how (i.e., science’s contribution).

My life’s learning brought these items to their attention:

• Time is not linear. The expanse of time that awes scientist is based on time being a straight line so they incorrectly conclude the Bible is wrong.
• A day wasn’t ‘24 hours” until the Earth was fully created and rotating on its axis.
• Humans decided what category ancient skeletal remains fit into. It was not God who said “man starts with Homo Sapiens”.
• Francis Collins, one of the decoders of the Human Genome, says that DNA evidences proves that all humans come from a single ancestor.

When all is said and done, science proves the Bible’s point of man’s origin starting with a single source. Not the opposite. I love it when turn about is fair play! Amen.

PS: Click here to see the description of the course: http://www.gpchurch.org/Adults/AdultEducation/2011AdultEducationFallCourses/tabid/47692/Default.aspx

See also the Internet Monk for a great explanation on how literal or not to take the Christian Bible: http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/my-view-of-scripture

Our Scripture Discussion for 08-21-2011

Our scripture discussion for today is Ezekiel 39:25-29 of the KJ Bible.
Eze 39:25-29 [KJV]

(25)  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;

(26)  After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid.
(27)  When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;
(28)  Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.
(29)  Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

Overview: The 39^th chapter “is a continuation of the prophecy of the destruction of Gog” and concludes with the Jews release from captivity and God revealing Himself to them through the Holy Spirit. It is noted that their captivity was a result of “their sins and transgressions”. [Gill] In this book, “Gog is the “chief prince” and leader of the attacking armies”[1]

Verse 25-28:

God will gather together the twelve tribes of Israel, who were scattered and enslaved because of sin, into one land. In their shame, they were “not able to lift up their face.” [Gill quoting Jarchi] Jacob’s captivity is contrasted with the Babylonian since God’s mercy was shown only “on the house of Judah.” Now God will redeem them all since they will “publicly repent” of their idolatry and will honor His name. [Gill, Clarke]


Verse 29:
God promises never to leave them again because He “poured” his “spirit” on them. “This was the beginning of the fulfillment.” “[T]he outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.” [Barnes]

Gill feels “this refers not to the effusion of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, but to one that is yet to come, when the Jews will be converted in the latter day…” [Gill]

References

Barnes: Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible.
Clarke: Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible.
Gill: John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible ; Dr. John Gill (1690-1771)
[1] Who are Gog and Magog? Extracted 2011-08-19; http://bibleq.info/answer/1944/

---

Our scripture discussion for today: Act 2:42-47

(42)  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

(43)  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

(44)  And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

(45)  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

(46)  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

(47)  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. [KJV]

Overview: Pentecost had come, the Holy Spirit imbued them, and they had gathered together in Jerusalem where the gift of tongues came upon the apostles who testified of the risen Christ Jesus to a crowd. At the end, 3,000 became believers.

Verse 42:

In this context, “fellowship” is taken to mean the group putting all their funds together to share expenses since they had been far from home for a long while.[PNT] VWS & Barnes note it is occasionally translated as “communion”. Clarke says the Greek means religious community. This is supported by verses 44 and 45.

There is scholarly disagreement on whether the “breaking of bread” means the Lord’s Supper or cracker bread eaten at many Hebrew meals. This type of cracker bread was broken, not cut. MHCC says it was the Lord’s Supper and while several note that “the Syriac” means “eucharist,” Barnes concludes it’s really not clear. JFB feels that is was not a Eucharistic meal. The bread in verse 46 is more likely the common meal. Some say that breaking bread was a sign of “intimacy or friendship”. Clarke explains that the master of the house performed the ritual as part of a pre-meal blessing. This may mean that even less well-known diners shared in it as well.

Verse 47:

There is much scholarly discussion about the tense used in the phrase “such as should be saved.” Barnes feels is merely a description of those in the crowd “who were about to be saved.” Clarke, Gill, PNT, and others feel it implies that not all are saved, only those “redeemed from their sins and baptized into the faith of Jesus Christ”. RWP and VWS speak about the continuity or “progressive condition” of salvation. That is past, present, and future.

PNT notes this is the first time the newly created “church” is mentioned. However, JFB and Clarke support my translation pet peeves by noting that “to the Church” is missing in the “most ancient manuscripts” (BC, Coptic, Sahidic, Ethiopic, Armenian, and Vulgat).

References

Barnes: Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible.

Clarke: Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible.

JFB: A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown.

MHCC: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible.

PNT: The People's New Testament (1891) by B. W. Johnson.

RWP: WORD PICTURES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT by Archibald Thomas Robertson.

VWS: John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible.

Online Safety Tip By Dr. Oz

I read this and it applies to adults as well as youth.

5 tips to keep teens safe online (Examiner, August 3, 2011, p. 25)

Doing goofy things online— even if you’re not a politician — can get you into plenty of trouble. With one click, you or someone you love can send a harsh word, a wild photo or worse into cyberspace, where it will stay forever—and one day come back to haunt you.

If you see your children or grandchildren spending more time on Facebook than face to face with you, you’re right to be worried they might wind up in a situation they’ll regret. The Internet’s like a tattoo on your forehead — visible for all to see and almost impossible to remove.

So, here are some tips from our new book, “YOU: The Owner’s Manual for Teens,” that can help keep your loved ones safe online:

1. Don’t email when angry. Really! Don’t hit “send” until you’re calm. You can’t take back what’s in print.
2. Put photos to the Grandma test. Don’t upload any pics you wouldn’t want your grandmother, a college admissions officer or a future employer to see. Because they will.
3. Keep personal info private. Don’t reveal your school, where you live or any detail making it easy for strangers to find you. That goes double for photos of your private parts. Don’t send them to anyone, even best friends.
4. Don’t friend someone you don’t know. When in doubt, leave ‘emout. Do you really want a stalker on your page?
5. Feeling cyber-bullied? Or harassed? If something doesn’t feel right, tell a parent or school guidance counselor. You don’t have to take it!

Maryland’s Tax Free Shopping

Maryland is relieving purchasers of the usual 6% sales tax, August 14-20, 2011, for clothing and footwear that is less than $100 each item. “That means qualifying apparel and footwear $100 or less are exempt from the Maryland 6% sales tax. Accessory items are not included.”

See this web site for more details including a FAQ Adobe PDF document: http://www.marylandtaxes.com/ShopMD_2011/default.asp

Source:

“Tax Free School Supplies Offer School Savings for 2011 Sales Tax Holidays”

http://www.maximizingmoney.com/shopping/tax-free-school-supplies-offer-school-savings/

How will Jesus Call My Name?

In C.H. Spurgeon’s July 15^th evening devotion, he made an interesting point about Easter morning: Jesus got Mary Magdalene’s attention using only one word, her name. Immediately she knew it was He.

I wondered for the first time how Jesus would call my name. I am a mixture of six nationalities and was born in America. Would it be in Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek, Italian, French, Portuguese, German, Polish, Spanish or American?
   
Source:
Spurgeon, C.H. (1994). Morning & Evening: Daily Readings. Scotland, UK: Christian Focus Publications

Psychology Behavior Modification vs Christian Values

On this morning’s train ride into DC, I was contemplating some issues with a couple of co-workers, both of whom are Christians. One is even a part-time minister.

As a Christian, I am tasked with turning the other cheek, loving them anyway, and praying for them. As someone with an undergraduate degree in psychology, I am also equipped with several research-based behavioral modification techniques. Behavior modification seeks to “replace unacceptable responses with acceptable ones.”¹

How do the two practices overlap? Psychology’s version of Christianity’s “turning the other cheek” is to ignore bad behaviors - and reward good behaviors. In my life experiences “ignoring” bad behavior does not always make it go away. What's my next step if they don't? Should I switch from the "ignore"/"turn the other cheeck" to one of the other behavior modification techniques? Or should I stay the course?

Sources:

1. CliffsNotes.com. Behavior Modification. 14 Jul 2011. <http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/topicArticleId-25438,articleId-25349.html>

I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord (Psalm 77:11)

Writer Susan Foster challenges readers to "Write down ten things for which you are grateful." Give it a try.

She closes in prayer: "God of yesterday, today and tomorrow, let me relive past moments of miracles so that I might praise you today. Amen."

These Days: Daily Devotions for Living by Faith, Vol 40 (2), June 23.

Gaithersburg Olde Towne Traffic

Archstone  Apartment Traffic

Statistics show we can expect Archstone residents to own between 200-700 cars. The City has only approved three exits and intersection changes to accommodate all this new traffic.

Two exits will come from extending Teachers Way to North Summit dumping traffic on to both Summit and Girard. The third exit will be an alley dumping traffic on to East Diamond. (See current map below.)

The intersection changes will likely only be shorter traffic light cycles.

When The Residences at Hidden Creek is fully occupied, more traffic will dump onto Summit Avenue and Girard creating even more gridlock.

The City has no plans to widen any of these roads. Smart growth is not smart if it does not include structural changes to the surrounding roads.

If don’t want your commute time tripled, let the City know how you feel.

       Planning and Code Administration

       City of Gaithersburg
       31 S Summit Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
       Phone: 301-258-6330; Fax:  301-258-6336
          E-mail: plancode@gaithersburgmd.gov

They meet the first and third Wednesday at 7:30 pm; location: City Hall Council Chambers.

Is “reading” a newspaper without paying for it “stealing”?

I was at the Flower Hill Starbucks this morning when a man opened the door, grabbed a Washington Post off the stand and walked out. Mind you, he didn’t buy anything. He just took the paper from the stand, walked outside, sat himself down at a courtesy table and began to pour through it. Since all the newspapers are for sale, not for loan like the chess set, this really annoyed me.

While I finished my coffee, I concluded the jerk had an exaggerated sense of entitlement that pervades Maryland. From my first glimpse, he didn’t look like a homeless person but since it’s Sunday, I opened my mind to the possibility that he might not be currently employed or otherwise have some financial difficulty. I decided that I would not only say something to him but also drop three one dollar bills on his table so he could properly pay for the paper he now had scrambled all over the table.

 I said “The paper is for purchase, not free. If you can’t afford to pay for it, here is some money. Go make it right.” He didn’t catch my point at first so I said it again as I went back to my car. I could here his twang in the background so I went back but not too close. I said in a snitty tone “You don’t even realize what you did was wrong. Do you?” He proceeded to argue with me so I made my point again and walked off. He thought he got in the last word by “sweetly” telling me to “Have a nice day.” He brought the paper back inside and I took my three dollars back.

Actually, I am going to have a nice day. I am going to blog his iniquity over the cyber universe.

See Vote Now box.

What is the Christian Bible?

Listening to Dr. Stanley's sermon "Our Anchor in Times of Storm" made me ponder a bit more about what I feel the Bible is to me. He defines it as "the record of God’s unfolding revelation of Himself through the spoken Word, in nature, in history, and ultimately through the coming of His Son Jesus Christ into the world.”

My thumbnail sketch is the Bible shows us God's efforts to communicate with his people. Some people have heard God's voice as a whisper. Some hear it loudly, mostly because they aren't listening and God wants to get their attention.

What do you think about the Christian Bible?

Two days left to Vote: Is Sexting Cheating?

See Vote box at the top of the page, right-hand side. So far everyone Says Yes!

The Erosion of Cinema Civility

As I waited for the MARC train to depart Union Station, I read an article in the Washington Post Express about theaters having to crack down on movie goers because they are using their smart phones, cell phones, tablets, etc. while they are watching the movie. If I wrote the article, I would ask “do these folks really think they can do two things at the same time?” Or why do I always end up in front of the guy who puts his knee in the back of the seat?” Instead, Christy Lemire asks “why must we talk, text and tweet in the middle of a movie? And, what can theaters do to stop this erosion of cinema civility?”

As to why, she briefly mentions generational differences and as to how, she refers us to Rotten Tomatoes’ “10 Commandments for Movie Audiences”.

I don’t think the cause of decreasing civility is as simple as a gap in generations. My elderly friends act like they were born with a cell phone sticking out of their ear just like the neighborhood teens. What’s different now is communication is predominantly electronic. Communicating through something creates an emotional distance between the speaker and the hearer. Emotional distance increases insensitivity towards others.

The other culprit is our national obsession with instant information, easily translated to instant gratification. One fine day this obsession will do us in. All that needs to happen is for an entire power grid to go down and the electronic-device zombies will stare at their dead electronic “friends” in a panic.

My personal and professional experiences tell me that enforcing move theater civility is a tough order to fill. May the force be with them. 

Doreen vs the Trout

As I was just about to leave Michigan to move back east to Maryland, Ron and I decided to take one last drive through the area. We passed Spring Valley Trout Farm and I mentioned that I had never been fishing. Ron replied that he and his mother went fishing all the time and headed the car into the lot.

Of course, I was assuming all along that Ron would join me in the fishing adventure but as we got to the counter, he only ordered one pole and one can of bait. Being a sturdy New Englander, the sight of cut up, yet squirming, worms did not do me in. So we proceeded to the pond. There were families having picnics under the pavilion to the left and a large pond to the right. It was getting cloudy and looked like we were in for rain. With great wisdom, Ron announced that rainy weather meant good fishing. What did I know. It sounded good to me. So off we went.

There were children fishing on the end closest to the picnic tables so we went to the far end. I successfully put the first worm on the end of the pole and plopped it into the water. I don’t know what magic I thought would happen but things seems pretty quiet. As I asked Ron “how do I know if I caught one,” I raised the pole and there was a fish attached. I screamed like a sissy girl flailing the pole this way and that. Ron grabbed the pole and pulled it towards the bucket they gave us. Ta da, it went it. We unhooked it and off I went to try a second time.

I had a bit more trouble with the worm but managed to get it on. Inspired, I plopped the pole in the water and again was wondering how I would know if I caught a fish. I pulled up the pole and low and behold another fish was attached. Since I wasn’t expecting it, I screamed like a sissy girl - again. Ron had a bit more trouble helping me get it to the bucket but it was success number two. I kept thinking if I were a baseball player, I’d be batting 1000.

This thought jinxed me. I put the worm-laden pole in the water for a third time but this big old fish got away. I had my eye on him. I was not leaving without him for dinner!

I struggled to put a fourth worm on the pole but determined to catch what had now become my “white whale,” I followed "Moby Dick" around until I could put the pole right in front of him. He was a big old fish and he didn’t get that way by snapping at every pole in the pond. I waiting patiently as a fine mist of rain began to fall. He came close two times. Like Jaws, the third time he nibbled at the bait. I jumped for joy bringing the pole out of the water and there he was flopping about to beat the band. We had quite a struggle to get him in the pail but success was mine. He was still flopping about wildly as we went to check out counter.  No one else's fish were flopping like that. I had a live one! I was proud of my three catches. The Toles would eat well tonight.

As we finished dinner, I was amused to find myself very proud that I had caught dinner. This primal urge welled up in me and like a cave man, I shouted “um gow ah” “me catch food”.

Doreen 1. Fish 0.

Spring Valley Trout Farm, used with permission. 

Praying the Right Way

There is some Christian conversation on whether one has to pray or not. Some feel that God already knows so in the (in)famous retort of Gilda Radner “Why bother?” Prolific author CH Spurgeon, one of my favorites, (AKA The Prince of Preachers), is on the Yes side.

My concern is that many who do pray don’t have the proper approach. They either ask God to take some bad thing away or to give them some good thing. Presbyterian publication These Days hits the nail on the head: 

• “do not tell God what (you) must have; “ask what God would have (you) do.”
• “do not tell God the direction God should take; “ask God to guide (you).”
• “do not hold up to God (your) dreams and visions; “ask God to grant (you) dreams and visions.”
  (“These Moments”, Sylvia Cleland. October, November, December 2010)

The Christian Bible endorses bringing all things to God in prayer (Philippians 4:6; Proverbs 3:6; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:1). Thus, the framework these intercessory prayers should take is to ask God to help you through whatever circumstance you are in.

Some suggestions on how to approach this are as follows:

• Instead of Saying: I can't take this any more. Say: God, please give me the strength to cope with this.
• Instead of Saying: Let me win the lotto. Say: God, please give me the means to meet my obligations.
• Instead of Saying: I can't stand that person/those people. Say: God, please give me tolerance of others.
• Instead of Saying: That person's doing something wrong. Say: God, please show them the way to enlightenment.
• Instead of Saying: Why is this happening to me? Say: God, please show me the way to enlightenment.
• Instead of Saying: Why is it always me? Say: God, please show me that I am not alone and will overcome.
• Instead of Saying: I feel broken inside. Say: God, please show me how to become whole.
• Instead of Saying: I feel despair. Say: God, please let me feel hope.
• Instead of Saying: I can't forgive… Say: God, please show me how to forgive.
• Instead of Saying: I can't forget… Say: God, please help me find peace.
  Source: old chain e-mail

Hourly Struggles

Have you ever felt that evil was winning? That no matter what you did, you ended up on the wrong end of the stick? You probably already know that you aren’t alone. For decades, no matter how good I tried to be, no matter how persevering, I just seemed to lose in the end.

My spiritual journey has many gaps as well as the normal ups and downs. This may seem like an oxymoron, but I was raised Catholic by non-believers. I hung in there until Confirmation. Then, in my early 40s, I found Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church and have grown spiritually over the last ten years. What I learned is that my childhood wish that things would keep improving until I died was really a “childish” wish.

The reason why became clearer as I read CH Spurgeon’s devotion for the morning of March 2^nd: “We are engaged in a great war with the Philistines of evil.” The Christian Bible never promises a trouble free life. In fact, it says just the opposite: “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” (John 16:33) The evil of the world will plague mankind until the Second Coming of Jesus. This plague comes from within as well as from without. Being left alone is also a long-held desire for me. Spurgeon’s evening devotion for February 20^th warned me that evil comes even in solitude.

What I also learned is that I should not try to avoid temptation. The first reason is that unless I have achieved a mature holy spirit, I will be an easy pawn for Satan. The second is that there are things to be learned from trials that can be shared with others. This works for me because I don’t feel I wasted my suffering. The third reason is that earthly imperfections need to be weaned out of me if I want to go to Heaven.

What is the practical solution to this? I must continue to study scripture and mature spiritually so I can put the whole armor of God on “for the arch-deceiver will seize [my] first unguarded hour to make [me] his prey.” (February 20^th)

Vote Now: Is Sexting Cheating?

The Washington Post's Express newspaper's cover story for June 8, 2011 asks a simple question: Is Sexting Cheating?

Rep. Anthony Weiner's social media antics and final admission of guilt generated a lot of emotions. As a Christian, I know that thoughts count just as much as actions. America's moral compass is upside down and needs to get back on track. Buy voting Yes, you support the return to marital fidelity and self-respect.

See Vote Box in upper right-hand corner.

Check out the new Page "My Favorites”

Some of my favorite local businesses:

Hershey's Cleaners,

Starbucks at Flower Hill,

Giant at Flower Hill,

Luxury Nails

Check out the new Page "Public Service Info”

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids,

The Great Hangup,

Protecting Our Ocean Wildlife

Check out the new Page "Statement of Beliefs"

I tried to be brief but comprehensive.

God’s Plan in Trials and Tribulations

I had been feeling set upon the week before I got to CH Spurgeon’s devotional for the morning of May 22^nd. I had made a pack with myself to read some religious material each day instead of the giant cram sessions I am famous for. As age proceeds, I don’t have the energy or attention span that I did when my steel trap mind wasn’t rusty.

His first sentence said eloquently what I was whining about to myself all week: “Changeful experience often leads the anxious believer to inquire ‘Why is it thus with me?’” It’s been a long time since I had a true “pity party.” Pastor Spurgeon’s writings have been having a calming effect on me so this is what just what the doctor ordered. I mean, God.

He digs a bit deeper “Is this part of God’s plan with me?” he rhetorically asks his audience. He answers himself with a resounding Yes. Over the centuries, hundreds if not thousands of religious leaders and counselors have tried to explain this answer. I’m sure most people heard of Kushner's book “When Bad Things Happen to Good People.” Spurgeon is one of the few I’ve read that hits the spot for me. The old English works for me though it might not for others. He simply says “These trials are for the testing and strengthening of your faith…they are winds which waft your ship the more swiftly towards the desired haven.”

He concludes with this lovely verse “Oh, think not, believer, that your sorrows are out of God’s plan; they are necessary parts of it. “We must, through much tribulation, enter the kingdom.” Learn, then, even to ‘count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.’”

Source: http://www.gospelweb.net/MESpurgeon/MESpur0522.htm

My Close Encounter with the Prince of Wales

My first real job after college was as a junior programmer at the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) in Chicago. Ron and I lived in the suburbs so he could play golf as much as humanly possible. I would accompany him sometimes so I had a basic sense of golf courtesy.

One Friday afternoon, my co-worker Carol Z. asked me if I had ever been to a polo match. Bostonians do not do polo matches I summarily informed her. Carol was not deterred. She added that Prince Charles would be playing in the match. I’m an American and don’t do royalty. Plus, there’s the whole Boston being the heart of the rebellion thing. However, I was intrigued by taking the rest of the afternoon off from work, and, more importantly, the promise of drinks afterward.

We went to my apartment to change into our polo finery. For me, it was a $20 polyester sundress, $20 pair of white high-heeled sandals, and a free pair of nylon white gloves from my mother-in-law. Carol was a dancer in another life. Tall, thin, and elegant. We thought we were the cat’s meow. So, off to see the wizard. I mean the Prince of Wales.

The polo match was held at one of the suburban golf courses in Oakbrook and Carol found parking for her old Chevy Nova on one of the luxury side streets. (We’re lucky she didn’t get towed!) We walked across the greens poking high-heel holes in the soft ground. (I kept thinking Ron would have a stroke if he knew.) Unfortunately, all the cheap tickets were gone. Not wanting to waste the trip, Carol and I skirted the fence behind the courtesy tents. That’s where the rich and famous hung out drinking libations I had only heard about from TV.

Carol asked me if I spoke any foreign languages so I decided to babble in pseudo French. I was young so it didn’t occur to me that the folks in the tents would know it was not really French. Anyway, we came to an open area with a gate, probably used to get the horses in and out. They players were flying back and forth and we were both excited. Not too long afterward, six Illinois State Troopers showed up. The oldest asked “What’s the matter, you girls can’t afford to buy a ticket?”

Normally, I would have spazzed big time at being called a girl. But it finally dawned on me that what we were doing was not Kosher. I was also outnumbered and outgunned so I sucked up my pride and said “Yes. Only the $50 tickets were left.” They let us watch a bit more of the match so I got to see Prince Charles, then they shooed us away.

For the next adventure, we went to Bennigan's and drank Gallo burgundy until we couldn't stand up. What happened next is a story for another day…

Being Chosen for the Team

When I was young, I felt like Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. All of the other children used to laugh and call her names. They never let poor Doreen play in any children’s games. I felt bad. I felt different. I felt unwanted.

My grandmother, of course, tried to make me feel better by saying there was something wrong with them. It really didn’t make me feel better. More importantly, it didn’t change the situation. They still wouldn’t allow me to play with them. Unlike Rudolph, no magical event occurred to change their minds. I had a lonely and unhappy childhood in many respects.

As I grew up, I realized that grandma’s putting them down wasn’t an effective solution for the problem of mean-spirited playmates. Children were mean from the beginning of mankind (Cain killed Abel) and still so today, made even worse by Internet bullying. For myself, what coping skills could I really expect to learn from my grandmother? She was a poorly educated, first generation American, stay-at-home-mom.

With education and living in other cities and states, I figured out from the school of hard knocks how to cope a bit better with being the odd person out. My standard self-protective retort became to apologize saying “I’m sorry. I did bring all three of my manners with me.” (One woman actually asked me what the three manners were. Lady, it’s a smart-Alec response. Hello?)

As I became involved with Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church, I learned that God chose me – even before I was born (John 15: 16; 1 Peter 1:2; Ephesians 1:4). How great a feeling to know I was picked for the best team ever!

Now, about those three manners….

Passport anyone?

There is a rite of passage when you are old enough to have your own checking account. Because I grew up poor, it had extra meaning for me. Add to that the reason I needed one is because I was the first in my branch of the family tree to go to college and you have real cause for a celebration.

At the time I got accepted to graduate school in Chicago, bank regulations were tightening and stores were requiring at least one, if not two, major forms of ID to cash checks. I quickly realized that my Massachusetts license might not qualify to cash out-of-state checks in Illinois. I mentioned this concern to my college pals, many of whom had real worldly experience. Beth Ann (of the New Hampshire Steinberg’s) said “why don’t you get a passport? That’s a major form of ID.” Not to be one-down, I went to find out - from someone else - what I needed to get one.

It was no big deal to get the two passport photos. I simply went to one of the arcade photo booths at Revere Beach. It was more involved, however, to get a notarized birth certificate. After more research, I needed to go to the McCormick building Records Office in downtown Boston.  I remembered I saw a building with that name on one of my shopping trips so merrily caught the train – which in Massachusetts is the same as Metro in DC – toting my precious photos.

I easily found the McCormick building and went directly to the tenant directory. Two security guards ambled over to “help” me. I told them I needed a notarized birth certificate and they said I was at the wrong McCormick building. Go figure.

They gave me directions and as I was leaving, one guard asked me why I needed one. I smugly informed him that I needed it to get a passport. Naturally, he asked me where I was going. Without thinking, I said “Chicago.” They both gawked at me in disbelief. One stuttered “B, b, b, b, but, lady. You don’t need a passport to go to Chicago!”

Of course, I knew I didn’t need a passport to go to Chicago. After all, Illinois is still part of the US. I tried to correct my shortcut answer to no avail. They looked at me like I needed to go into THE home for SPECIAL people. I let it go, hopped back on the train and hurried to the correct McCormick building.

Showing evidence of learningÔ, when the Records clerk asked me why I needed it and where I was going, instead of saying “Chicago” or “I need it for ID,” I angrily said “nowhere. I am not going anywhere!” He looked at me like I needed to take a pill but didn’t press further.

Many years later, at one of my husband’s work-related social gatherings, Ron insisted I tell my “best” story. So, I did and everybody laughed. Then Ron added “I bet those guards are still talking about the lady who thought she needed a passport to get to Chicago.” Okay, it’s one thing for them to think I’m crazy. It’s another if the guards have their get togethers and I am one of the showpieces!

Women’s Purses Explained

Like many American women, I have more than one purse. OK. I have several. American men have a long history of purse phobia. Yes, they fear our purses. A few even break out into a sweat after the ever-present eye roll.

Because I take the MARC commuter train into DC, I have my regular purse (wallet, lipstick, cell phone, etc.) and my “train” bag (everything else I need that would normally be in my car if it weren’t parked over 20 miles away).

Having to juggle the two bags through throngs of commuters makes my runway walk less than smooth. It also makes it tricky to gracefully pull out my access badge to get through the security check point at work.

As I wrestled with my bags one morning, I saw “the” look from one of the male security guards. To cover my fumbling, I explained that “women’s purses have their own alternate universes."

He said “What?”

I explained further (pointing to my train bag): “women’s purses have their own separate universes. That’s why things get lost in there. Just like a black hole.”

He gave out a big laugh and as I went up the elevator to my floor, I felt I scored a point for female-to-male communications. Yes!

Child of THE Light

Bill Crowder uses the film Chariots of Fire to introduce the Apostle Paul’s sports analogy that Christians are running a race (Our Daily Bread, June 13, 2010). Olympic sprinter Harold Abrahams only entered races he knew he would win. Second place was not an option. His girlfriend makes the obvious point: he can’t win if he doesn’t enter the race.

People must choose to enter the Christian race but once they do, they must be aware of some gotchas. In the movie, the trainer made another subtle tactical point. He shows Abrahams a replay and pauses where the leader looks back as he neared the finish line to see how close the competition was. The trainer informs Abrahams that those two seconds cost the leader the race.

Like the Corinthians of Paul’s time, I entered the Christian race for the eternal crown. But, how many times have I looked back at all the bad things I did? Too many. Reading Crowder’s devotion made it clear I wasted seconds, hours, days looking back instead of looking forward with my eyes on the prize. Will I come in second in the most important race of my life?

My answer comes from a very old source. The Bible assures me of two things. First, nobody is perfect and second, if I truly repent, God will forgive and forget. This means that to be an effective Christian, I have to stop my instant replays and “ease on down the road.” To shore up my daily resolve to leave the past in the past, I read a lot of devotions and other religious literature.

In particular, 19^th century preacher, C.H. Spurgeon’s January 5^th evening devotion (Morning & Evening) offers me hope that, as a child of the light, God “looks on that light with peculiar (i.e., particular) interest….” Even though I continue to grieve over my “inbred sin,” God does not see “the cloudiness and gloom” in my “soul.” Instead, “the Lord sees ‘light’ in my “heart.” Why? Because He put it there!

The Bible also tells me that I am not the final judge of myself. (Good!) In fact, humans are not even on my heavenly jury. Spurgeon also makes the point that it is “Better for the judge to see my innocence than for me to think I see it.” It is better that God sees my light than I see it. After all it is God’s grace that preserves my light, not anything I can do. Works of my flesh do not free me. Thus, my anxiety is unnecessary. I can rest in God’s grace, not in my instant replays.

Heavenly Father, I want to feel your grace flow through my body. I want to win the race and win your eternal crown. Please forgive me especially in the times when I do know what I do. Amen.

It’s Not Fair!

In the Our Daily Bread devotion for June 9, 2010 entitled “It’s Not Fair”, Joe Stowell writes about the human view of justice versus God’s view of Justice. Most of my life I felt like his example: I wanted people who were bad to me and people who were bad to others to “get it good” from God. I definitely did not want to see the baddies to go happily along enjoying their lives.

As a child, my grandmother’s response to good things happening to bad people was to mutter something in Italian, then make the sign of the cross. As months often turned into years, the “named party” would die and she would shout victoriously “See, my curse hit him!” Like bobble heads, my brother and I nodded in agreement thinking “ma” was all powerful and vowed never (again) to make her angry.

I went off to college where my tightly held beliefs were challenged. One fall day, I told one of ma’s “curse” stories when I realized the obvious – ALL people die so what kind of curse is that? (Thanks to Philosophy 101 class for getting me to ask such questions.) Because it was self-fulfilling, it worked for ma as a woman of her time with no personal power in an unjust world. I discovered from a psychologist that it was part also part of her Italian upbringing because Italy has a revenge-based culture. Most Italians are Catholic but their responses to injustice go beyond the proportional response of “an eye for an eye…” espoused in the New Testament. Commit an offense and Italians want to totally take you out!

Decades later I restarted my spiritual journey in the Presbyterian church taking some formal classes. What I learned here also challenged my tightly held beliefs as well as showed me other flaws in ma’s adjudication process. I now know that even if someone is bad to me I am not supposed to ask God to kill him or her off. I also understand that god doesn’t exist to get even with my personal enemies. I recognize that only God has the authority to punish someone and all fall short of His glory. And, that means me too.

My earthly search for justice started with the question “How far could I really run with the proverbial plank in my eye?” Just as I started to despair over my faults and false thinking, Stowell’s words pulled me back. The joy is that (in Christ) God “extends grace to those who are undeserving and hopelessly lost.”

Clearly I should be glad God has not given it to me as I deserve (Psalm 103:10). if God were truly “fair” to me, He who can abide in no sin, then I’d be in big trouble – just look at the Old Testament. In fact, I have gotten better than I deserve. So the next time I want to cry “foul”, I need to keep in mind that God is merciful to me. Then shut myself up!

Better yet, I can follow Julie Ackerman’s model who replied to an injustice by saying “I understand how that could have happened.  I’ve certainly made my share of mistakes, and then I left it at that.” (Our Daily Bread, 6/7/10, A Steward of Grace)

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me better than I deserve. May the Holy Spirit well up with words of grace whenever I am in the midst of struggle. Show me how to walk better in your ways that I may bring you the glory that you deserve.

Amen.

What She Said vs What He Heard (volume 1, issue 1)

Several weeks ago the morning train ride into DC had an unexpected “repair” component. I had been sitting in the upper level of the “Chicago” double-deckers reading Our Daily Bread. FYI – MARC has money issues so when other transit systems retire their old trains, they buy them. Since I lived in the Chicago area for almost ten years, I take an extra bit of enjoyment in having Chicago in DC.

This particular ride, one of the regulars was clacking away furiously on his laptop when all in a sudden he jumped up and banged on the loose panel over the luggage rack. I laughed because that was something I would do and was glad I wasn’t the only one. Not thinking twice, I said “You’re a man after my own heart.” Well, my words apparently did NOT go through the “female-to-male”^© translator properly because he looked at me as though I had made an unwanted pass at him!

I know I am not as cute as I was 10 years ago so his unwelcoming facial expression was not a surprise but didn’t make my morning either - in two respects. First, I am not that bad looking that I need to put a bag over my face but second, and the bigger issue, is why did he assume my show of commiseration was a flirt?

Once I got over my mini mid-life trauma, I fished around in my cosmetic bag for my nail clipper and saying a lot more carefully “it’s a good thing I am old enough to have watched the original episodes of MacGuyver. Here try this.” Then, I handed him the nail clipper with an earnest, trouble-shooting look on my face. He looked carefully at me to see if I was giving him that moo face some women do when they are flirting. (BTW – I do not do the moo face.) When he realized I wasn’t, he took the nail clipper, undid the nail file part, and applied himself to the task of tightening up the screws. When he was finished I said “good job” the same way my friend Bobbie says it to her dogs - just in case the female-to-male translator^© was still malfunctioning.

Later in the day, I thought more about the “art” of communication. Even in the 2000’s you will notice no one calls it a science. Anyway, the expression (actually “idiom” if we are being grammatically correct) “after my own heart” is common enough. It’s even used in the Bible. To be sure I didn’t miss something in my education, I googled it and confirmed it is indeed used to express an area of commonality with the other person.

To close my first issue of “She said vs He heard”, I don’t know why he thought what he did. Perhaps he is arrogant or perhaps this is one phrase that needs to be converted to something else before it goes through The translator because I really don’t want other men to think the same thing.